Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in New York 2025

Many colleges and universities across the country offer affordable bachelor's degrees online, but New York residents can find tons of low-cost options right in their home state.

Online programs are great for busy adult learners, but also give you access to a wider variety of program options than you get if you stay local. Keep reading to discover affordable online bachelor's degree programs in New York.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree Cost in New York?

The cost of an online bachelor's degree in New York depends on several factors. One of the most significant factors is whether you attend a public or private school. Private schools range from just under $400 per credit to over $1,000 per credit.

Public institutions in New York are divided into two systems. The City University of New York (CUNY) system is for schools within New York City and charges $305 per credit to in-state residents. The State University of New York (SUNY) system is for schools across the state and charges $295 per credit to residents. These schools typically offer the cheapest online bachelor's degrees in the state.

The financial aid you qualify for also plays a large role in your tuition costs. In New York, the Excelsior Scholarship provides free tuition to New York residents whose families earn less than $125,000 per year and who are attending an undergraduate program at a CUNY or SUNY school. Private schools also offer financial aid programs. To find out what you qualify for, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year.

Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in New York

New York State has a number of cheap online colleges that accept financial aid. Below, we've highlighted the schools with the most affordable online bachelor's degrees in New York.

1. Empire State University

Empire State University is a public SUNY school based in Saratoga Springs, NY. It offers nearly all of its bachelor's degrees online, and degrees are available in fields like business management, education, liberal arts, and social sciences.

Tuition for New York residents is $295 per credit hour, capped at $3,535 per term. Online students from out of state have a rate of $353 per credit, which is capped at $4,240 per term.

Average in-state tuition: $295 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $353 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Empire accepts FAFSA, offers institutional scholarships, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton offers over a dozen bachelor's degrees through its online campus. Areas of study include business administration, computer information systems, cybersecurity, and healthcare management.

SUNY Canton, a state college, is located in Canton, NY. In-state tuition is $295 per credit, and out-of-state tuition is $353 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $295 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $353 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Canton offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: MSCHE

3. SUNY Delhi

SUNY Delhi offers several undergraduate degrees through online learning. The public college is based in Delhi, NY.

Online bachelor's degrees are available in fields like business management, criminal justice, healthcare management, and nursing. Tuition for New York residents is $295 per credit, and for nonresidents is $353 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $295 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $353 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Delhi offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

4. SUNY Oswego

Multiple bachelor's degrees are available online at SUNY Oswego. Areas of study include business administration, criminal justice, mass communication, and public relations.

SUNY Oswego, located in Oswego, NY, is a public university. It charges a tuition rate of $295 per credit for New York residents and $353 per credit for out-of-state residents.

Average in-state tuition: $295 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $353 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Oswego accepts FAFSA and private aid. It also offers institutional financial aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Alfred State College

Alfred State College is a SUNY school in Alfred, NY. It offers online degree programs in fields like business administration, healthcare management, human services, and technology management.

SUNY Alfred charges the same tuition rate as other SUNY schools: $295 per credit for in-state residents and $353 per credit for out-of-state residents. And like at other public schools in New York, students here may be able to use the Excelsior Scholarship to cover their costs.

Average in-state tuition: $295 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $353 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Alfred accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

6. SUNY Brockport

Students at SUNY Brockport can find several bachelor's degrees online. Areas of study include criminal justice, nursing, psychology, and social work.

SUNY Brockport, a public university, is located in Brockport, NY. It charges an in-state tuition rate of $295 per credit and an out-of-state rate of $353 per credit for online students.

Average in-state tuition: $295 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $353 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Brockport offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: MSCHE

7. SUNY Plattsburgh

SUNY Plattsburgh offers a few different online bachelor's degrees. The public university is based in Plattsburgh, NY.

Online degrees are available in fields like cybersecurity management, nursing, social work, and supply chain management. In-state tuition is $295 per credit, while out-of-state tuition is $353 per credit hour.

Average in-state tuition: $295 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $353 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Plattsburgh offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

8. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Half a dozen bachelor's degrees are available online at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Areas of study include business administration, finance, health information management, and nursing.

SUNY Poly, located in Marcy, NY, is a public university. It charges in-state students $295 per credit and out-of-state students $353 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $295 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $353 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Poly accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

9. CUNY School of Professional Studies

The CUNY School of Professional Studies is a CUNY university based in Manhattan, New York City. It offers online bachelor's degrees in human relations, information technology, liberal arts, and nursing education.

The tuition rate for in-state students at CUNY schools is $305 per credit, with a cap of $3,465 per semester. For out-of-state students, the tuition rate at CUNY SPS is $350 per credit with no tuition cap.

Average in-state tuition: $305 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $350 per credit

Financial aid: CUNY SPS accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

10. Lehman College

Through Lehman College, students can earn bachelor's degrees online in several fields. Areas of study include nutrition, political science, public health, and sociology.

Lehman College, a CUNY school, is located in the Bronx in NYC. In-state tuition is $305 per credit, but out-of-state tuition is $620 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $305 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $620 per credit

Financial aid: Lehman College offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: MSCHE

How We Rank Schools

To choose the online schools listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools on this list are regionally accredited.
• Affordability: After determining which accredited schools in New York offer online bachelor's degrees, we sorted by price.
• Program reputation and quality: Every school is known for offering high-quality online programs and support services for online students.
• Online format: Each school provides online education opportunities in a variety of subjects.

FAQs About the Cheapest Bachelor's Degrees in New York

There are a lot of affordable online colleges in New York. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about cheap online bachelor's degrees.

What Is the Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree in New York?

The cheapest online bachelor's degrees in New York for in-state residents come from schools in the SUNY system. These schools charge $295 per credit hour.

Additionally, these SUNY institutions are all online colleges that accept the Pell Grant, which is offered through the U.S. Department of Education, as well as the state's Excelsior Scholarship. To find out if you qualify for either of these, fill out your FAFSA every year.

What Is the Cheapest Way To Get a Bachelor's Degree?

One of the cheapest ways to get a bachelor's degree is to start taking college-level coursework while you're still in high school. Options like Advanced Placement (AP) classes allow you to earn college credits during your junior and senior years.

Many students also choose to start their education by earning an associate degree at a community college, since community colleges often cost less than four-year institutions. Once you've earned your associate degree, which you can do either online or in-person, you can finish your bachelor's through online colleges that accept transfer credits.

Additionally, applying for financial aid can help you significantly lower your costs. In addition to options like the Pell Grant and Excelsior Scholarship, many schools and private organizations offer scholarships for online students.

Is Online College Worth It?

While everyone has a different definition of ''worth it,'' many students do find earning a degree online to be worthwhile. Having a bachelor's degree can increase your career opportunities and prepare you for graduate programs.

Online learning isn't for everyone, but many students, especially those with busy schedules, prefer it. Online courses are usually asynchronous, meaning that you complete your work at the time of day that works best for your schedule. For students who work full-time or have family to care for, this is much more flexible than having to appear in person.

What Other Fees Should I Expect for an Online Bachelor's Degree?

The fees you can expect for an online bachelor's degree will vary between colleges. For example, Empire State University charges a college fee, student activity fee, technology fee, and health and wellness fee to online students, which comes to about an extra $289 per credit.

Meanwhile, SUNY Canton charges online students the exact same fees it charges on-campus students. This includes things like an athletic fee and a recreational facilities fee. These fees add an additional $836 per semester.

Sometimes, scholarships and grants will cover fees as well as tuition costs. If you're concerned, check with your financial aid office or look for online colleges with monthly payment plans.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

Find the perfect affordable bachelor's degree by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools today to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.